Obituaries

With great sadness we announce the passing of Jean Groves-Sordi on 16 May 2023. Jean was born in 1935 and spent her childhood in Brooklyn, New York. In high school she moved to West Vancouver and later graduated from the UBC School of Nursing in 1958. Jean moved to Kamloops in 1972 where she raised her daughters and resumed her nursing career as a Public Health Nurse. She loved her 24 years working in public health particularly enjoying her visits to new mothers, babies and working with the schools. She was passionate about the benefits that preventative medicine and health education can bring to the community. In her early years in Kamloops the family learned to ski and in summer spent hours exploring the back roads around the Interior seeking waterfalls and wildflowers with Jean's nursing friends as navigators. Later these day trips expanded to summer driving trips from Kamloops to the Yukon and NWT with kids and dog in the small car because she loved “the north”. Jean met Dino in 1976 starting a new chapter of fun together including square dancing, travelling the world, and living the snowbird life in Yuma. They especially loved spending summers at the cabin at Shuswap Lake with their children and grandchildren. Jean loved people and would strike up conversations anywhere – in line ups, at airports, at the grocery store, and made many new friends along the way. She was adventurous and always keen to try new things. Jean was brave and determined even in later years with impaired vision. She loved to learn and was a self described “news junkie”. She was stylish and enjoyed wearing bright colours. Jean and Dino were a very social couple and she enjoyed the many dinners and evenings spent with their friends. She liked to cook and try new recipes although in later years she also introduced the weekly “cook’s night out”. Jean was generous with her time and liked to volunteer in her own community and also while in Yuma (at the Tourist Center -- what better way to meet new people?) Jean is survived by her husband Dino, daughters Janet (Dave), Kathy (Blair), step children Mark (Barb), David, Janet, Cameron, grandchildren Karen (Kevin), Ian, Jacquie (Chris), Tony, Michael, Derek, Luke, Colin, Paul, and great grandson Jace. She is predeceased by her brother Bob (Loretta). Join with our family to share memories and celebrate Jean’s life at the Thompson Rivers University, International Building, Panorama Room on Saturday, June 17th from 2 - 4 pm. In lieu of flowers please consider donation to Royal Inland Hospital.

• May 30, 2023
  To Dino and the boys, to Jean’s girls and all their combined families and friends. I am shocked to hear of Jean ‘s passing. Jean was such a wonderful addition to Dino’s life, and Dino to her life. They combined their families together with maturity and love. Waiting for their kids to grow and leave the nest, they finally got together and built that massive walk in , forever together , closet. Once filled, we knew they were a solid couple. While Raising their kids separately, they still managed to find time for those private shopping excursions out of town, But both knowing so many people they were often approached by folks to say hello. Of note was their much loved dog I called Ralph, who faked a limp to get hugs and snacks from Dino and Jean. If walked in the alley he could accelerate like an Olympian to chase all cats. Through the years at work Dino’s lunch kit was duly checked and tasted by Doc And Doug to make sure Jean was packing in the right nutrients. We were never disappointed.
  
  Jean will be missed for all those good things she did and the love she gave.
  
  - Doug Young
• May 30, 2023
  Dino, I have lots of lovely memories of working with Jean at the Health Unit for many years, and always enjoyed meeting her around town after retirement. I hope your memories of your years together will give you peace at this time.
  
  - Fearon Blair
• May 29, 2023
  Dino I’m so sorry to hear about your loss. Jean was a loving wife and mother.
  
  - Marion Gadsden

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